The ten stars whose place in their country’s World Cup squad is under threat.
10. Sandro (Brazil)
The Tottenham enforcer was a regular in the Brazil squad before suffering a cruciate ligament injury in January 2013. He returned to fitness last summer but this season has been interrupted by a series of muscle complaints. Sandro is now fit but with just two more friendlies before the tournament, it may be too late for him to force his way into Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad.
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9. Fabricio Coloccini (Argentina)
The experienced centre half has been an Argentina international for over a decade but a season blighted by injury and personal problems has seen Coloccini play just 18 times for Newcastle and only four in 2014. The Argentines aren’t blessed with quality at the back but the Toon star may still miss out unless he can finish the campaign strongly.
8. Roberto Soldado (Spain)
The dismal fortunes of Tottenham’s £26m summer signing from Valencia have been put in stark contrast by his compatriot Alvaro Negredo, who has taken the Premier League by storm. Just two league goals from open play this term mean Soldado is likely to be miss out on the a place in the talented Spanish squad. The 28-year-old was a favourite of former Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas but has not played consistently since Tim Sherwood recalled Emmnauel Adebayor.
7. Ashley Cole (England)
Jose Mourinho has sidelined Cole this season, preferring the industrious Cesar Azpilicueta at left back. The form of Southampton teenager Luke Shaw and Everton’s Leighton Baines mean England centurion Cole is in serious danger of missing out on Brazil.
6. Lucas Leiva (Brazil)
The Brazilian enforcer is on his way back to fitness after picking up an injury in mid-January but may struggle to get back into Liverpool’s team given the current form of Brendan Rodgers’ side. He will need a run of games to get back into international contention and it may be a straight choice between him and Sandro.
5. Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)
One man not struggling for starts or form at Liverpool is playmaker Coutinho. The one-cap Brazil international has generally been ignored by Luiz Felipe Scolari, despite his great form, but a brilliant finish to the season could see him force his way into World Cup contention at the eleventh hour.
4. Fernando Torres (Spain)
The Chelsea striker boasts over 100 international caps and has was part of the winning Spain squads at the last three major tournaments. But his continued average form for the Blues, plus the conversion of Brazilian-born Diego Costa, leave Torres vulnerable of missing out on Brazil.
3. Erik Lamela (Argentina)
The Argentine’s £30m move to Tottenham has been an absolute disaster and he is currently injured with no set return date. Just three Premier League starts all term mean Lamela, 21, will have to finish the season in stunning fashion to have a chance of making the Argentina squad.
2. Juan Mata (Spain)
Last season it would have been inconceivable for Mata to miss out but it is testament to Spain’s extraordinary strength in depth that he was omitted from the last squad. Man United boss David Moyes is yet to get the best our of the playmaker since his January move to Old Trafford but he must do soon or Mata’s decision to join United may backfire.
1. Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Ozil remains one of Germany’s most important players but head-coach Joachim Loew has warned the playmaker he is not guaranteed a place in the World Cup 23. Ozil was booed off by the German fans in the last international and his cause has not been helped by an injury picked up in Arsenal’s draw with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.